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After boosting their chances of the No. 1 overall pick by blowing a home game against their main competitors for that prize, Edmonton, it gets more difficult for Buffalo up against the best side in the East.

In a return to the First Niagara Center form of their disastrous start to the campaign, Sabres fans have witnessed just a solitary success in 2014. up to now, compare that to the Penguins not losing back to back contests since November.

Because he's playing on such a loaded team and bears the scars of last season's playoff woes Marc-Andre probably isn't getting the deserved credit for his reliability, Fleury leads goalies in wins with a goals against average of 2.25.

On defence Kris Letang is out again for a short period and I'll maintain it's no coincidence they've kept opponents to a goal or less in three of their last four, Paul Martin and Brooks Orpik in particular should be able to get a handle on the Sabres' insipid offence that has netted once in 120 previous minutes of hockey against them. There's little other option but to take the Penguins over the handicap, go for either -1.5 at 2.40 and -2.5 at 4.00.

Patrick Kane inspired the Blackhawks to a big win in LA Monday night but this road trip doesn't drop off and they can move to within a point of league leaders Anaheim if they better them here.

That same evening the Ducks were putting in another sluggish home effort against Columbus, both coach Bruce Boudreau and captain Ryan Getzlaf bemoaned their lack of urgency when trying to bust what is by far their worst run of form at home.

Post their 9-1 thrashing of Vancouver in the middle of January they've won two of six and scored 13 goals, take away that run and they were averaging just over four a game at Honda Center so a significant drop off like that requires attention.

Chicago have had the marginal upper hand in these powerhouse matchups up to now because they have the more reliable depth scoring that so often swings these tight encounters, take the Blackhawks to claw back very close to that top spot.